Japanese Food Bites: Indulging in the Taste of Summer

July 6, 2024

Today marked our first outing with the Ochanimizu  students. At 2 pm (or 14:00), we set off from the Plaza with Rika and Mimori, walked to Myogadani Station, and rode the Yurakucho line to Ikebukuro station. Our commute offered the first opportunity to talk with the Ochanomizu students. Mimori, Jordan, and I bonded over the struggles of women pursuing fields in tech. Despite our different backgrounds, we found common place in being outnumbered by men in our CS and engineering classes. For Mimori, her classes before Ochanomizu had around 10 women per classes for, while at Northeastern I experience a 40:60 women’s to men’s ratio. For someone who never considered attending an all-women’s university, talking to Mimori made me realize its possible appeal.

While segregated, an all-woman’s university provides a safe space for female intellectuals in an otherwise unrelenting world. As the only girl in my high school design class, I wasn’t immune to prejudice against women, let alone against women of color. With male classmates undermining my efforts, or making micro agressions, I became an engineer not due to the sexism I experience but inspite of it. From an outsider’s perspective, all women’s universities allow women to explore their interests without the need to fight for a seat at the table. With the uncertainty wether the major we selected in the past self aligns our future, removing as many obstacles as possible may allow a smoother transition from student to working adult.

But back to the museum outing, we swung by the hotel to drop off our bags, and headed back to Ikebukuro station, riding the Yamanote line to Ueno station where the  National Museums were located. Walking around Ueno station reminded me of my summers in Washington DC. The beating heat surrounded by nature, both Ueno Park and the National Mall house a plethora of accessible museums. The similarities didn’t stop there, as thunder clouds began rolling in as we left the National Science Museum for the Tokyo National Museum. We didn’t anticipate such a storm, let alone one of this magnitude. Without umbrellas, we ran in the rain to Tokyo National Museum. As we checked in to the second musuem, lightning struck blocks away from us with the loudest thunder I’ve heard to date. We found shelter at the entrance of the university, and decided to sit and watch. The ground trembled under us as we watched lightning strike in the distance. For experiences brand new to me, I felt home with each step—connections transcending borders, distance, and language.

In the National Tokyo Musuem, we explored historical Japanese art exhibits, learning about Ukiyo-e, Katanas, and Armor. Kerem and I admired the range of kimonos with different colors and embroidered patterns. Whenever we pass another, we noted which of the new ones were our favorites and stopped to take pictures. Looking at all the kimonos reminded me of when I was fascinated by Japan and Cherry Blossoms as a child. At the time, I fantasied wearing a Kimono and even had an opportunity to try one on at the local Japanese district. Reminiscing about the past, made me more excited for when we get to try on traditional Japanese clothes during this trip.

We also found a collection of antique boxwood combs, and learned that in addition to them being accessories, in the Edo period, men used them to propose to women. It’s fun to think about how there has always been symbols or gifts which represent courtship and engagements. Be it diamond rings or a hand crafted wooden comb, these pieces are meant to be worn and shown off to others. This made me wonder how other cultures symbolize engagement and marriage and maybe combs wouldn’t be a bad gift in the present. After all, you can’t brush you hair with a diamond ring!

Overall, I had a lot of fun at the excursions. Visiting the museums offer me highlighted a different part of Japan than what we will experience in our month here. The Nature and Science Museum taught us about Japan as a biological ecosystem and its native organisms, while the National museum allowed us to interact with the traditional Japanese art. I got to touch samurai armor and feel its weight, as well as make my own Ukiyo-e. I hope to have a chance to return to the National Tokyo Museum, so I can explore their global exhibits.